RODS, THE the rods AL9558

American Thunder: The Rods’ Self-Titled Debut (AL 9558)

Today’s entry cranks up the volume with a cult classic of American heavy metal. We are looking at the 1981 self-titled album The Rods, released in the US on Arista Records with the catalog number AL 9558.

Hailing from upstate New York, this power trio occupies a unique space in metal history. Led by guitarist/vocalist David “Rock” Feinstein (cousin of Ronnie James Dio and former member of Elf) and drummer/producer Carl Canedy (who would go on to produce seminal thrash albums for Anthrax and Overkill), The Rods delivered a sound that was raw, loud, and unpretentious.

Released in 1981, this album often draws comparisons to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) occurring across the Atlantic, as well as the high-energy rock of Motörhead. It captures a gritty, blue-collar heavy metal sound that prioritizes riffs and attitude over polish.

The tracklist features high-voltage anthems that became genre staples. The opener Power Lover sets a frantic pace, while Crank It Up remains their definitive call-to-arms for metalheads. Other highlights include the driving Nothing Going On In The City and the heavy groove of Rock Hard.

AL 9558 is an essential piece of vinyl for collectors of early 80s metal. Mastered at the legendary Sterling Sound, this pressing captures the raw intensity of a band that helped lay the groundwork for the American metal explosion that followed.